Green tea is an ancient drink. China is considered its homeland, but tea is also associated with many other Asian cultures. Recently, this drink has gained great popularity all over the world, including among Europeans. This is primarily due to its beneficial effects on the body. And yet, mindlessly drinking green tea is not worth it, because it has both indications and contraindications.
The benefits of green tea are determined by its composition
The secret of the healing properties of the ancient drink lies in the process of its production. Indeed, to obtain green Chinese tea, the same leaves are collected as for black tea. But they are not fermented, that is, they are not oxidized, they are simply dried. That is why the leaves retain all the beneficial properties of the Camellia sinensis plant. And the drink turns out to be light.
Green tea is slightly bitter, but has a very pleasant aroma. It is so useful because it contains a whole storehouse of vitamins, trace elements and organic compounds.
There is caffeine in Chinese tea, which gives a person vigor. But this alkaloid is not present in its pure form, but as theine. Therefore, it acts more gently, improves performance better.
The drink contains minerals, they help maintain the balance of micro and macro elements in the body. And this is the key to excellent immunity, strong teeth and nails, healthy hair and skin.
Another important element in green tea is catechins, which are polyphenols. There are four of them, all have the property of being excellent antioxidants, preventing oxidative processes, thereby slowing down aging. In addition, polyphenols reduce the number of free radicals and prevent the development of tumors, including cancerous ones, and also have antimicrobial qualities. Scientists have found that the most powerful of the four catechins is at least 40 times more potent than vitamin C.
How green tea can help
Green tea has a wide range of uses. In addition to being just a delicious, gourmet drink, it can help treat or prevent a number of health problems.
Green tea helps with various inflammations, fever, fever. After all, he is a very effective diaphoretic, and with then microbes and toxins poisoning the body leave.
Experts recommend drinking green tea for people suffering from diseases of the genitourinary system and kidneys. This drink is an excellent diuretic, it can significantly increase the release of excess fluid from the body.
Also, high-quality Chinese tea is very useful for digestion, gastrointestinal tract. With regular use, it normalizes the work of the pancreas and liver, gallbladder and duodenum. And in Asia, they believe that a cup of aromatic drink must be drunk before each meal, since green tea has a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora.
But the Chinese will never put a lemon in a cup. This is the know-how of Europeans, and the benefits of such a combination are very controversial, not to mention the fact that the taste of the drink, in the opinion of true connoisseurs, suffers quite seriously.
Green tea is good for the cardiovascular system: it makes the arteries more elastic, the capillaries stronger, and reduces the permeability of the vessel walls. Drinking a healing drink will help avoid atherosclerosis, the development of cholesterol plaques. Green tea also improves the absorption of ascorbic acid.
It is impossible to overestimate the contribution of green tea to improving the general condition of a person. The drink improves memory, increases alertness, invigorates and relieves drowsiness, helps to avoid depression and generally normalizes the nervous system. In addition, it improves metabolism, and this also greatly affects the state of health.
As for the use of green tea for weight loss, there are literally legends about it. There are even diets based on Chinese tea. It is difficult to judge their effectiveness, but many women have experienced the effect of drinking tea leaves with added milk. They say that if you drink green tea brewed in milk during the day, you can lose a couple of kilograms.
Also green tea is a good cosmetic product. For example, it can be brewed and frozen, and then wiped with ice cubes on the face and neck, décolleté. The skin will become fresher and more elastic.
Also, rubbing with a concentrated infusion of green tea is recommended for inflammation and rashes.
The harm of green tea
However, every coin has two sides, and what is medicine in one case can be harmful in another. Likewise, green tea has more than one contraindication, but a whole list. Therefore, for some, this drink is not healthy, but harmful.
Green tea should not be taken with medicines: it will quickly remove the active substances from the body and thereby reduce the effectiveness of the drug.
You can not drink green tea for those who suffer from nervous exhaustion. Caffeine, even in mild form, can disrupt sleep and cause fatigue by energizing the nervous system. In principle, this drink should not be drunk by anyone at all before going to bed, as well as coffee.
Also, green tea should not be drunk with tachycardia and increased excitability, hypotension. The fact is that this drink has the ability to lower blood pressure. However, in acute forms of hypertension, it is also not necessary to drink a lot, as doctors advise.
People with stomach ulcers should consume Chinese tea in moderation without overusing it, as it can increase acidity. It should be added that the recommendation for careful tea intake applies to all those suffering from chronic diseases. Drinking in excessive doses can lead to an exacerbation.
